Saturday Morning Devotional: Looking Into Tebow’s Eyes
Saturday mornings this time of year find me working the floor of the gymnasium at our church in Midland, offering halftime devotionals during Upward Basketball games. I was inspired to prepare this week’s devotional by looking into the eyes of a Heisman Trophy-winning, All American college football quarterback, Tim Tebow.
Upward, one of the the world’s largest Christian sports program for children, was created with a vision to provide the best sports experience possible for every child. An estimated 1-million people around the world play, coach, referee or volunteer in some way to support Upward sports activities, hosted by more than 2,600 churches – there are four churches here, in Midland, including my own First Presbyterian.
The organizatioon notes that, “anyone – children and volunteers of any faith or no faith – can participate in Upward sports. Specifically designed for children in K5- sixth grade, Upward aims to bring out ‘the winner’ in every child – regardless of the game’s score.”
Really, not a bad venue for discussing someone like Tim Tebow. At the moment, he is one of the most well-known college athletes in the nation, and some are suggesting he will be the #1 pick in the upcoming pro football draft.
Those of you who watch college football on TV, have probably noticed those patches of eye black he wears during games, and the references to Bible passages written in white letters on that eye black … one of them is Hebrews 12:1 …
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (NIV)
I suggested at today’s devotional that it was nice, really, to have someone like Tim Tebow out there. Is it me, I asked, or are there too many sports headlines out there devoted to guns in the locker room, marital infidelity, dogfighting, coaching scandals and steroid drug use. I wondered, can one embrace sports at any level – whether it’s in the church gym, the local ballpark or a major pro sports stadium – and still embrace Christian values? Answering my own question, I said, “yes, I think so.” Tim Tebow, I noted, did it every Saturday afternoon … and these Upward kids are doing it right here, every Saturday morning.
By the way, whoever you are and wherever you are, we would love to have you on our team! If you’re the parent of a youngster who wants to play basketball, soccer, flag football or cheer, chances are Upward has a league or camp near you. What? No kids? No problem … Upward programs always need volunteers to coach teams, to referee games, to operate game clocks, to rustle-up snacks for the kids, or offer devotionals at halftime.
I can think of worse ways to spend a Saturday morning.
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I think Colt McCoy is a better representation of the Christian religion. Even after the hard hand dealt to him in the National Championship game, he was strong in his faith.
It’s easy to believe when you’re on top of the world, when nothing bad is happening to you, as with Tim Tebow. It’s much harder when you’ve just been given a swift kick in the crotch by life.
Mike, you’re absolutely correct about Colt McCoy … but we’ll have to walk different (though parallel) paths on placing one youngster above or ahead of the other.
I just can’t do that. I think McCoy, Tebow and all youngsters who ‘walk the walk’ on that path Christ set for us – in good times and bad – are to be commended with equal pride and praise.
By the way, Tebow has known his share of adversity, even before he was born … which almost didn’t happen. Also, being allowed to play with a high school football team (he was home-schooled) was a challenge for the Tebow family … there’s a reason that state legislatures in Alabama, Kentucky and elsewhere are considering “Tebow Bills.”
I will refrain from elaborating on my belief that religion has no more place in sports than does violence, and simply state that anyone who thinks that Tim Tebow could be the first pick in the draft has not paid very close attention to the NFL.
Alan, thanks to you – and Mike! – for stopping in and commenting.
Regarding your observation about Tebow’s prospects in the draft, that’s exactly why I said “some suggest.” Ther are A LOT of different opinions out there about Tebow’s prospects – #1, first round (high or low), second round (high or low) – though I WOULD be inclined to give yours a little more weight than some.
As for RELIGION and sports, yes, the two are seperable … there are times when I can turn off my Presbyterianism. But FAITH? That’s something else altogether. I can’t turn-off being a Christian out on the field and the gym floor … or anywhere else in my life, my work, my play, whatever.